CPC Strike Dilemma: What to do about brokerage fees? And eBays algorithm?

[tryubik-useonlyasdirected]

Our handling times have been updated to 15 days and when an item sells we send the buyer a note explaining the strike and that their item shall be posted immediately upon its resolution. So far buyers have been understanding and there is a small little pile of boxes building up by the door.

However, I have a partner who is convinced eBays algorithm downgrades us based on long handling times and wants to post everything immediately using FedEx/UPS. I explained that they will likely charge our buyers brokerage fees on de minimis purchases and nobody is ever pleased about that. Upset buyers are not something we really want to deal with ever.

How do people deal with brokerage fees and buyers? Our postage says "generic standard shipping" nothing about either the public post or for-profit courier usage and it does say the buyer is responsible for any and all charges resulting in cross-border purchases. Still, I hesitate to post FedEx/UPS for this reason.

How have people handled this? Is everyone just shipping using for-profit courier and condemning their buyers to brokerage?

[marnotom!]

Are you selling items valued at over US$800? If not, duties and brokerage charges shouldn’t be an issue.

Taxes are collected by eBay at checkout for item destined for the US, regardless of the value of the item, but you probably already know that.

[tryubik-useonlyasdirected]

Those items I'm not concerned about, expensive items are typically posted using a courier service as CPC does not offer appropriate Insurance or size options at this time.

Also, in our experience this hasn't been the case, there has been a charge regarless.

[marnotom!]

I think a few months back, @recped alluded to COD charges when certain FedEx shipping methods to the US are used, but they’re technically not brokerage charges. Perhaps he’ll return to elaborate on that.

[tryubik-useonlyasdirected]

Anyhow, I may try Stallion in the interim. Apparently they have a depot about 20 minutes away *shrugs*  We used to drive over ourselves in the old day before all the mandatory paperwork. Ah, the good ole days.

[chicweb]

I've sent few items during the strike using UPS to the United States. I sent also with FedEx to France. Everything is paid at checkout. No come back as of yet about any additionnal fees paid by buyers.

(I'm also very impressed with UPS speed for shipping right now. Literally received the next day, within the same province. Takes only a couple of days for the US).

As for eBay's algorythm. I think, they must offer the best possible listings to customers. That's for the good of their experience and also to ebay as whole.

Still offering Canada Post right now is risky on here at the moment. I'm not sure about their algorithm about handling time, but I think they do promote more when quick shipping is offered. (If they don't, they should).

[recped]

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@marnotom! wrote:
I think a few months back, @recped alluded to COD charges when certain FedEx shipping methods to the US are used, but they’re technically not brokerage charges. Perhaps he’ll return to elaborate on that.

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Using a courier in most cases (if your paperwork is complered properly) there are no brokerage fees if the declared value is under US$800.

That will not eliminate upcharges (rural delivery, address correction etc.)

If you have access to Stallion you should use them, their UPS rates will be lower than buying from eBay or going direct to UPS (unless you have an account with a deep discount from retail rates).

[sin-n-dex]

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@tryubik-useonlyasdirected wrote:

Anyhow, I may try Stallion in the interim. Apparently they have a depot about 20 minutes away *shrugs*  We used to drive over ourselves in the old day before all the mandatory paperwork. Ah, the good ole days.

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That paperwork has been around a long time... I remember my first time over with packages in 2007, I didn't know about paperwork and used the Rainbow Bridge (which is not for commercial). At the time the coins was a hobby and I wasn't getting any money, just swapping internationally to get coins for my collection in return. It was 45 minutes of being interrogated at the border and told my income doesn't permit me to have such a hobby where money is "wasted". I found out about the paperwork for commercial stuff and was told that would avoid my problems. At that time it was 10.75 per trip across.

I currently live too far from the border to be doing these trips anymore (even if I did have time for all this paperwork). I used to live in Hamilton which is around 45 minutes from Niagara Falls if there's some traffic. Stallion Express (and Chit Chats who I used before they started closing all the branches), has been a saviour in getting my items over the border to ship with USPS.

C.

[sin-n-dex]

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@recped wrote:

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@marnotom! wrote:
I think a few months back, @recped alluded to COD charges when certain FedEx shipping methods to the US are used, but they’re technically not brokerage charges. Perhaps he’ll return to elaborate on that.

---

Using a courier in most cases (if your paperwork is complered properly) there are no brokerage fees if the declared value is under US$800.

That will not eliminate upcharges (rural delivery, address correction etc.)

If you have access to Stallion you should use them, their UPS rates will be lower than buying from eBay or going direct to UPS (unless you have an account with a deep discount from retail rates).

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Stallion uses UPS Mail Innovations, so the last mile is delivered by USPS. I had a package earlier (4 oz) that was 8.74 CAD by Ground Advantage, but only 6.50 with the UPS Mail Innovations option. I changed all my shipping in my listings to Economy shipping so there's fewer complaints about mail speed. GA is actually quite fast, and UPS MI takes a little longer, like an extra 2-3 days. Since I'm only charging 4.60 USD to ship a coin and Stallion won't accept eBay postage on the packages anymore (if USPS), I have to buy my postage from them. So any savings I can get is a good thing.

C.

[kiralicious]

I've been using UPS via ebay to ship to the us for many items since it's been available without issue - all items have been $200 or less Canadian ( so well under the $800 USD for import) .  Today is the first time ever in years I've been notified via the tracking that that Goverment Chargers and Brokerage Charges Apply ( see below )  - this was a $150 usd disney figure  - can't for the life of my figure out why it's being charged and can't find anyone to talk to to figure out why.   

Total Due (USD): $96.58

Governement Charges $54.83

Brokerage Charges : $41.75

[tryubik-useonlyasdirected]

I hear you. There are multiple isntances where UPS in the states has been taken to court by their government for charging illegal fees. It is one of the many reasons we don't use them. It has happened to me in Canada as well. It gets tricky when you fight it with them too, I've won and I've paid. It depended on the item and where it was bought.

For some of my packages the brokerage was charged because they claimed that taxes were owing so they had to process the parcel. In those case the taxes had already been paid through the purchasing venue and there was proof of that documentation already shared & the business i had purchased it from had stated this and informed the broker ahead of time that nothing was owing. 

A couple of times I said there is no way I'm paying for an item clearly marked as under the de minimis and not owing any taxes, accused them of holding my parcel hostage for a ransom and hung-up. When I called back they released the package. This does not always work, and you have to be careful the package doesn't get sent back (depending on the return policy at the other end).

Did your buyer talk with the UPS? They do have to state the reason why.